Parkinson's Disease Care at Massachusetts General Hospital

Parkinson's Disease Care at Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized diagnosis, treatment and long-term management for patients with Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders. Care may include medication management, movement-disorder evaluation, rehabilitation, advanced therapies and surgical options for selected patients with difficult-to-control symptoms.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost depends on the complexity of Parkinson's disease, specialist evaluation, diagnostic testing, medications, rehabilitation and advanced treatment or surgical procedures required. A personalized estimate is provided according to the patient's care plan.

Complete Description

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement but may also cause non-motor symptoms.

Common symptoms include:

• Tremor

• Slowness of movement

• Muscle stiffness

• Balance problems

• Walking difficulties

Non-motor symptoms can also occur.

Who May Need Parkinson's Disease Care?

Specialized care may benefit patients with:

• Newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease

• Tremor

• Bradykinesia

• Muscle rigidity

• Gait difficulties

• Balance problems

• Medication-related fluctuations

• Dyskinesia

• Complex Parkinsonian symptoms

Parkinson's Disease Consultation

A movement-disorder specialist may review:

• Symptoms

• Disease progression

• Medication history

• Previous neurological evaluations

• Imaging and test results

• Daily functional difficulties

• Non-motor symptoms

Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

Diagnosis is primarily based on:

• Medical history

• Neurological examination

• Movement assessment

• Clinical symptoms

Additional testing may be used when necessary to investigate alternative diagnoses.

Movement Disorder Evaluation

Specialists may evaluate:

• Tremor

• Muscle stiffness

• Slowness

• Walking

• Balance

• Coordination

• Involuntary movements

Medication Management

Medication plans are individualized according to:

• Symptoms

• Disease stage

• Treatment response

• Side effects

• Daily activity requirements

Medication adjustments may be made as the disease progresses.

Levodopa-Based Treatment

Levodopa is an important medication used to manage many motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Specialists may adjust treatment according to:

• Symptom control

• Treatment duration

• Motor fluctuations

• Dyskinesia

• Medication response

Management of Motor Fluctuations

Some patients experience periods when medication works well and periods when symptoms return.

Specialists may adjust medication schedules or consider advanced treatment options.

Dyskinesia Management

Dyskinesia refers to involuntary movements that can develop in some patients, often associated with long-term Parkinson's treatment.

Treatment may involve medication adjustments or advanced therapies when appropriate.

Deep Brain Stimulation Evaluation

Selected patients with Parkinson's disease may be evaluated for deep brain stimulation (DBS).

DBS uses implanted electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation to specific areas of the brain involved in movement control.

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

For appropriate candidates, DBS involves:

• Preoperative evaluation

• Brain-target planning

• Electrode placement

• Implantation of a stimulation device

• Postoperative programming

Not every patient is a candidate for DBS.

Advanced Parkinson's Disease Care

Patients with advanced symptoms may receive multidisciplinary evaluation for:

• Medication optimization

• DBS

• Rehabilitation

• Speech therapy

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Other supportive treatments

Physical & Occupational Therapy

Rehabilitation may help patients manage:

• Walking difficulties

• Balance problems

• Muscle stiffness

• Daily activities

• Mobility limitations

Speech & Swallowing Support

Some patients develop speech or swallowing difficulties.

Specialized therapy may help address:

• Speech changes

• Communication difficulties

• Swallowing problems

Non-Motor Symptom Management

Parkinson's disease may also involve:

• Sleep problems

• Mood changes

• Cognitive changes

• Constipation

• Fatigue

• Autonomic symptoms

Care may include evaluation and treatment of these symptoms.

Long-Term Parkinson's Disease Management

Ongoing care may include:

• Neurological follow-up

• Medication adjustment

• Movement assessment

• Rehabilitation

• Advanced therapy evaluation

• Monitoring disease progression

Parkinson's Disease Second Opinion

Patients may seek a Parkinson's disease second opinion regarding:

• Diagnosis

• Medication plan

• Disease progression

• DBS eligibility

• Advanced treatment options

• Management of complex symptoms

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant medical records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Neurology reports

• Medication history

• Brain imaging

• Previous neurological testing

• Treatment records

• List of current symptoms

Benefits of Specialized Parkinson's Care

Specialized movement-disorder care may help:

• Confirm or clarify diagnosis

• Optimize medication

• Manage motor fluctuations

• Address non-motor symptoms

• Evaluate advanced therapies

• Assess DBS suitability

• Coordinate rehabilitation

Why Choose Massachusetts General Hospital for Parkinson's Disease Care?

Massachusetts General Hospital provides specialized movement-disorder care through multidisciplinary neurology programs, with access to neurological evaluation, medication management, rehabilitation and advanced treatment evaluation for appropriate patients.

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Potential costs may include:

• Neurology consultation

• Movement-disorder evaluation

• Diagnostic testing

• Medications

• Physical therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Speech therapy

• DBS evaluation

• DBS surgery when indicated

• Long-term follow-up

A personalized cost estimate should be requested according to the patient's treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Parkinson's disease be cured?

There is currently no definitive cure, but treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

2. What treatments are available for Parkinson's disease?

Treatment may include medications, rehabilitation, lifestyle support and advanced therapies such as deep brain stimulation for selected patients.

3. What is deep brain stimulation?

DBS is a surgical treatment that uses implanted electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation to specific brain regions involved in movement.

4. Is every Parkinson's patient eligible for DBS?

No. DBS is considered only for carefully selected patients after detailed neurological and surgical evaluation.

5. How much does Parkinson's disease treatment cost?

Price is available on request. Costs depend on consultations, medications, rehabilitation and whether advanced therapies or surgery are required.

Product Details

Product Name: Parkinson's Disease Care at Massachusetts General Hospital

Hospital: Massachusetts General Hospital

Brand: Massachusetts General Hospital

Country: United States

Specialty: Neurology & Neurosurgery

Service Type: Parkinson's Disease Care

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA